The Eagle Stirs
Alexandria Andalica.
Flavius Alexander, the Red Eagle of House Flavii, and Lord Paramount of the Roman Marches, was furious.
He had ordered his servants away, the only ones in the room were his son, Constantinus, his nephew Cornelius, and his Magister Militium, one Julius Galerius. Putting the letter away, Alexander finally screamed in rage
"I will kill that bastard! I won't rest until my sword is lodged in his heart!"
the letter read:
"Lord Alexander of the Roman Marches
It has come to my attention that you shelter the traitor Cornelius Draco in your lands. Therefore, you have seven days to bring him to me, or give me his head. Should you choose to not do so, You shall be branded as a Traitor, and your people dealt accordingly."
It was indeed signed by King Aerys, and the mere thought of it… For the first time, he was glad that Florentia had passed away a few weeks ago.
"Father… "
"Go get some sleep my son, tomorrow we call the men, and in six days we march."
With a nod, Constantine walked out of the room, as Cornelius rose to speak, his uncle looked
"Uncle Alexander" He had picked up and read the letter "If it helps keep our people secure…"
"No" Interrupted the older man "This madman must be stopped, and we have suffered him for too long. If this does not stirs us into action, then we will forever bear his yoke."
With a bow, Cornelius nodded and prepared to walk out, then Alexander stopped him
"I will give you Citae Cervidae. go off and prepare the town's militia… I plan to finish this quickly, but it never hurts to prepare for a siege."
Once again, Cornelius nodded and then walked off. The only other man left in the room finally spoke.
"My lord… I am afraid that this plan… this plan is madness! Fight against all the Andal Realms? The Reach alone can raise more than twice our men, and adding the Westerlands? The Stormlands? We will all die."
With a smile, Alexander chuckled at that "I commend you for your worry Commander, but I have strong reasons to believe that we will not be facing all of the Andals" Started the lord " tell me, have you heard of what happened to lady Lyanna of house Stark?"
"I am afraid, I do not see why should we care about it…"
"But it is our business Commander Galerius. I will tell you what happened. Lady Lyanna disappeared a few days ago, as she was heading to Storm's End to marry Lord Robert… It is widely known that Prince Rhaegar is quite taken with her, and it is also known that Prince Rhaegar left King's Landing a few days before that, and has not been heard of since…"
"My lord… are you suggesting that…?"
With a smirk, Alexander continued "I am not the only one to have made the connection. Lord Rickard Stark, and his son Brandon did as well… they rode to King's Landing, demanding answers, and were met with wildfire. Now, King Aerys has demanded the head of young Eddard Stark, as well as that of Robert Baratheon… He has stumbled upon a war, and made another mistake."
"And that would be, my lord?" Galerius had now connected it all, now he knew what realms would fight against the King.. it seemed like madness no longer.
"Making the Romans fight him as well. the Active Meros will be gathered at Citae Cervidae, and the Reserves will be gathered here. I shall take ten thousand men to put pressure on King's Landing, the rest will be put under the command of my son. You are dismissed Commander Galerius."
The man bowed and walked out of the room. Now that he was alone, and somewhat more calmed due to making preparations, Alexander finally realized something.
His son's betrothal was most likely screwed.
King's Landing, One Day before the deadline.
Ser Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard was definitely not a happy man now.
First, the King had Rickard and Brandon Stark killed. Admittedly, Jamie never liked them, but there were bounds, even for a King!. Then, King Aerys had demanded the heads of Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark…
Did he really think that the North and the Stormlands would let that happen? or that Jon Arryn would obey? Alas, war was all but certain.
But what still bothered him the most, was being away from Cersei.
He barely noticed as a shaking messenger arrived in the Throne Room. A boy, not more than ten and four, and he was visibly afraid.
"Y-Your Grace… T-This arrived on a raven from A-Alexandria." He stuttered, bowing and extending one hand in which he held the message, a letter sealed with the same eagle seal of the Flavii.
The old King took the letter, opened it quickly and read. A sadistic smirk soon possesed his face as he finished and tore the letter apart.
"They will burn! They will all burn!" He exclaimed with joy.
Jamie Lannister could do nothing but look at the scene. And hope that he might find a way out of this alive.
Driftmark
Another man that was certainly not happy, was Lucerys Velaryon, Lord of Driftmark, and Master of Ships to King Aerys II.
He was a loyalist, and it was no secret that he would support the King over Prince Rhaegar, should conflict erupt. Thus, in an attempt to gain allies, he had been in certain... negotiations. negotiations that had just been blown up because of this.
To say that he was not sure what King Aerys hoped to get out of this was an understatement.
"Father…" his son, Monford, spoke. "this… situation, what does it mean for us?" he asked. Lord Lucerys thought for a moment.
"For us? we prepare, and bring His Grace the Royal Fleet."
"And what about… ?" Monford asked.
"I will speak to her later. You my son, have more pressing concerns, am I correct?" Interrupted the older man.
"Yes father" replied Monford before leaving. Lucerys sighed and looked out. it was no secret that the Driftmark Fleet was, save for the Redwyne's own fleet, the mightiest in Westeros. But this was still unsettling…
Somewhere in the North
The Northern Banners were now raised. Young Eddard had managed to rally them all for one purpose.
Revenge.
No other thing could unite the Northern Houses like revenge. And if it meant avenging the fallen Starks, even Roose Bolton marched with his bannermen.
As the northern host moved towards Moat Cailin, it finally fell on Eddard Stark's mind, that he would rule the North, he would wed Catelyn Tully…
And once again, he wished that it could all be undone, and he could return to being a second son.
Storm's End
"Brother" Robert Baratheon stood in the hall, alongside his brother Stannis, and several of his loyal bannermen. All he wanted now was to march north, join Eddard and smash Rhaegar… But even he had to acknowledge, that Storm's End could not be left undefended.
"You will be in command of Storm's End and the forces within… I trust you will hold out in here until I can smash that Dragon rapist."
Stannis just nodded, for once he agreed with his older brother…
"I will" He replied, it didn't take long afterwards for Robert to gather his own banners and march out of Storm's End.
Stannis was sure that the Reach would fight for the King. and he knew where would that leave him…
He just hoped to hold the castle for his brother.